Showing appreciation can be done in many forms e.g flowers, gifts, letters and etc but from a personal opinion saying ‘Thank you’ verbally is heart-warming. Here are some examples

Responding

‘Don’t mention it’ <-> When using this phrase take care when saying it. When responding say the phrase light-heartedly. If saying ‘Don’t mention it’ in a strict, upset or angry tone. The meaning of this phrase changes.

Sorry

Slang – soz, soz mate, sorry mate
*Casually

Responding with yes, no or not sure

Please note that this is all generalised and personal opinion. Other time when learning English you’ll pick up different ways to say things, words and slang that not included in here.

Let me know in the comments below. Which is more common in your country. Which one you didn’t know and if there are more to add!

For a while i have been putting off this topic. But I decided that sharing my experience can help others and give you an insight into my life.

Nearly 5 months ago I applied for a job, not having any experience in that particular field. I was offered a position and had to leave asap. I took the offer because honestly why not?! I was only 21 years old and didn’t have any ‘real hard life’ experiences. So i packed my suitcase and left for Japan.

A lot has happened during my stay and honestly it’s 50/50. A lot of shit has happened but also some amazing experiences as well. But nothing prepared me for the cold hard feelings of isolation that i was going to endure and still endure today. Many won’t know that i cried myself to sleep most nights or that i would just sleep all day. But the people close to me have been the best support group. When going through hard times and changes.

I threw myself into the deep end. Moving to a new country, moving into an apartment by myself, paying bills for the first time, budgeting money and remembering to feed myself. This all took me by suprise and then adding isolation when living in the country side of Japan. It all added up so fast. Realising how much growing up i had to do. Because I was still a child in my mind set and i didn’t know a things about adulthood.

My once depression that i dealt with. Hit back and most people would say go and get a hobby, explore and etc. But after doing that a couple of times, i started to feel lonely. Sure overal going to the park, zoo and etc is always a nice experience but it’s also nice to share those same experiences with someone else. So i stopped.

So for hobbies i don’t really have many but a noticable hobby that has been growing. Which really isn’t a hobby, is to keep working. At home, weekends and staying back at work. Which i have now slowly been cutting down.

There is so much more to write about but my attention span is lost haha. So I will have to write another post shorty!

I’ve learnt a lot during my second month as a English teacher in Japan. Some days are good and some days are just plain crap. But out of everything I started to grow as an adult and understand these young minds that i teach.

Everyday is different, this is something i hated. Because it’s so trieing when there is no consistency at times. How i have overcomed it was being consitent with myself and my teaching. Because there are some things that you can not control over.

Side note: I also got very sick during this month and in the early month of June I finally took some sick days off. To recover *I’m healthy at this moment of time, So don’t worry.

There not too much to talk because even though there not much consistency with certain things. My workplace trys to be organised as possible. Either with cleaning, meetings, lunch and more.

But what i have realised more and has become more irritating for me. Is the complaining of my fellow other English co-workers. But i’m sure they can find something that irritates them about me to. We are all human and complaining is normal to do from time to time. But when you’re complaining about another co-worker that you can just grow some balls and talk to them face to face. But don’t…. I find very irritating.
I understand that not everyone is going to like everyone. But complaining and not doing anything. When actually you can but you don’t want it. Seems a little be stupid in my opinion.

From my view point is that.. this is not Australia nor America. Every country has there own ways in doing things. If you come to a country to teach English you must understand that nothing really is the same back home. That you should be open minded and learn the ways of the culture.
If you don’t like something that native person says to you or around you. Grow some balls and tell them that it’s not okay to say that. Rather them complain about it the next day to other co-workers. Most of the time there is no need to complain but as humans (not all) are lazy or think it would be a waste of time.

But anyways let me know what you think? Is complaining really necessary when you can just MAN UP and tell that person.